Property description
Diss - 8 miles
Bury St Edmunds - 17.3 miles
Norwich - 30 miles
A charming 'chocolate box' period cottage, situated in a rural enviable position with stunning and picture-perfect gardens extending to in excess of half an acre (sts). The cottage offers the perfect country lifestyle with nature and wildlife in abundance.
Guide Price £450,000
Accommodation comprises briefly:
Sitting Room
Dining Room
Garden Room
Kitchen
Rear Lobby & Utility Room
Family Bathroom
Two Double Bedrooms
Two Landing Bedrooms
Charming Gardens Extending To 0.54 Acres (sts)
Double Garage & Garden Store
Partly Shared Driveway & Parking
The Property
Believed to date back to the early 1800's, Orchard Cottage has a wealth of period character and charm, yet benefits immensely from not being listed. The cottage would make the perfect weekend retreat or family home, with gardens and grounds for children to roam. Over recent years the cottage has been overhauled, extended and transformed into this wonderful 'chocolate box' you see today. A solid wood door leads into the dining room, which is the first of three receptions on the ground floor. Inset into the fireplace is a solid fuel Rayburn with fitted shelving to the adjacent recess. Double doors then open out into the garden room, which is a lovely light room with double glazed sliding doors to either side and a double glazed window to the west elevation. The room has a vaulted ceiling, which adds an airy feel making it a perfect studio or chill area overlooking the garden. By walking back into the dining room and past the fireplace you will enter the third reception room, the sitting room. The focal point of this room is without question the wonderful open brick fireplace with inset woodburner. The fireplace has a large timber bressumer over and a bricked hearth. Alike the dining room, the sitting room has a shelved recess/book casing to the side of the fireplace. Situated at the rear of the house is the kitchen, boot room and family bathroom. These three rooms form an extension constructed in the 1980's of rendered brickwork walls under a sloping tiled roofline. The kitchen is fitted with a range of base units with pine worktops over. Inset into the worktop is a steel sink with double drainer and in between the units is space for an electric cooker. The room offers views over the rear gardens and completes the country kitchen style with quarry tiled flooring. Attached on the east elevation is a handy utility room, which houses plumbing for a washing machine and the oil fired boiler. The staircases providing access to the first floor are located at either end of the cottage, being positioned almost identically. Originally, the cottage would have been a pair of semi-detached cottages which is why the first floor rooms do not interconnect. At either end are two spacious landing bedrooms with original pine doors leading into the two larger doubles. Both the rooms have exposed studwork, brickwork from the chimney stack, and quaint windows looking down to the fen. The layout of the bedrooms offers potential for dual occupancy or excellent guest privacy.
Outside
Orchard Cottage enjoys a right of way over a shared driveway which continues into a parking area and up to the timber garage. For pedestrian access, a timber gate from Fen Road leads up through the front gardens to the cottage. The front gardens are south facing with a number of shrubs and mature plants including magnolia and climbing roses, offering a private and secluded feel. The garden continues around either side of the cottage to the rear where you will find further cottage style gardens which have been crafted over the years by the current owner and previous owners from years gone by. A paved terrace adjoins the back of the house creating a perfect entertaining space. Beyond the paved terrace are a number of lawn sections and mature shrubberies, scattered throughout the garden. The garden also houses a number of lovely trees including an old walnut, acer and Indian bean. There is timber garage which is fully equipped with both power and light. In all, the gardens extend to approximately 0.54 acres (sts).
Location
Orchard Cottage is situated on the edge of the village of Blo Norton in an elevated position overlooking Blo Norton Fen. The pretty village borders the Little Ouse valley fen which is a special area of conservation and an important habitat for wildlife. A network of small country lanes run between the local villages and, along with local bridleways and footpaths, there are many opportunities for countryside walks, cycling and horse riding. Everyday facilities can be found in Hopton and Garboldisham. The nearby historic village of Redgrave has a village shop and a pub. The nearest village school is in the village of Garboldisham to the north. The market town of Diss is 8 miles to the east and has a good selection of independent shops, well regarded schools and supermarkets. Diss station provides frequent mainline commuter services to Norwich, Ipswich and London Liverpool Street.
Directions
From Diss take the A1066, passing through the villages of Roydon and Bressingham. Upon reaching the village of South Lopham, take the second turning on the left hand sign, signposted to Blo Norton. Proceed into the village and upon reaching the Parish Church turn left into Church Lane and then take the second turning on the left hand side into Fen Road. Proceed for about 1/2 mile and Orchard Cottage will be found on the left hand side. The shared driveway leads from the road, up to the house forking to the right hand side.
Agent Note
The property is offered subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way, whether public or private, all way leaves, easements and other rights of way whether specifically mentioned or not.
Services
Septic tank. Mains electricity and water connected. Oil fired radiator central heating.
Local Authority
Breckland Council
Tax Band: E
Energy Rating: D
Postcode: IP22 2JH
Tenure
Vacant possession of the freehold will be given on completion.
Fixtures and Fittings
All fixtures and fittings including curtains are specifically excluded from the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation.
Property Info: